IN THIS SECLUSION ROOM IN AN IOWA CITY SCHOOL, THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LEARNED SEVERAL YEARS AGO STAFF PUT STUDENTS IN FOR MINOR INCIDENTS AND LEFT SOME FOR NEARLY AN HOUR. >> IF YOU’RE A KID BEING IN THERE IS LIKE BEING IN JAIL, CYNTHIA THE ACLU OF IOWA IS : AGAINST THIS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND IS SUPPORTING NEW RULES TO LIMIT THE USE OF ISOLATION ROOMS, SOME AS SMALL AS CLOSETS. >> WHAT THE RULES SAY IS T SECLUSION ROOMS CAN ONLY BE USED AS A LAST RESORT, ONLY IN EMERGENCIES, AND NOT FOR DISCIPLINE. THE GOAL IS NOT TO USE THESE ROOMS WHEN THEY SHOULDN’T BE BECAUSE IT’S A REAL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON KIDS. CYNTHIA BUT SCHOOL : ADMINISTRATORS OF IOWA SAY IT SHOULD BE UP TO TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS TO DECIDE IF RESTRAINING A STUDENT IS NEEDED TO DE-ESCALATE OUT OF CONTROL BEHAVIOR. >> THERE ARE TIMES THAT SOME EDUCATORS SAY FOR THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS WHO ARE PUT INTO SECLUSION ROOMS FOR THEIR SAFETY AND SAFETY OF OTHERS, THAT’S WHY THOSE ROOMS ARE UTILIZED. CYNTHIA THE NEW RULES REQUIRE : PARENTS BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY USING THE SCHOOL’S EMERGENCY CONTACT SYSTEM. THAT WOULD BE BURDENSOME FOR >>THAT WOULD BE BURDENSOME FOR EDUCATORS AND TAKE AWAY TIME WITH CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM. CYNTHIA IN MOST DES MOINES : SCHOOLS, STUDENTS ARE SECLUDED IN A REGULAR ROOM IF THEY POSE A RISK. IN JOHNSTON, THEY CALL IT A COOL DOWN ROOM. THE NEW RULES STATES RESTRAINT SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR AS LONG AS NECESSARY >> THAT’S A GOAL, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT USING IT FOR MINOR DISCIPLINE, USING IT ONLY

The Iowa Education Department is considering new rules on how students are disciplined at school.Iowa is one of only five states that allow seclusion rooms or restraints.Now, the Education Department wants to ensure that only necessary force is used and that seclusion rooms are used only to prevent an imminent threat, damage to property or physical injury.The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is against this solitary confinement and is supporting new rules to limit the use of isolation rooms."What the rules would do is say the seclusion rooms can only be used as a last resort, only in emergencies and not for discipline," said Daniel Zeno, with the ACLU. "The goal is to make sure we aren't using these rooms when they shouldn't be because it's a real negative impact on kids."The proposed rules state that restraint should only be used for as long as necessary and require parents be notified immediately using the school's emergency contact system.School Administrators of Iowa say it should be up to teachers and principals to decide if restraining a student is needed to de-escalate out-of-control behavior."There are times when it's my understanding that some educators believe that, for the safety of students who are put in their seclusion (rooms, it's) for their own safety and as well as safety of other students. That's why those rooms are used," said Matt Carver, with School Administrators of Iowa.The Board of Education could decide on new seclusion rules by June.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

The Iowa Education Department is considering new rules on how students are disciplined at school.

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Iowa is one of only five states that allow seclusion rooms or restraints.

Now, the Education Department wants to ensure that only necessary force is used and that seclusion rooms are used only to prevent an imminent threat, damage to property or physical injury.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is against this solitary confinement and is supporting new rules to limit the use of isolation rooms.

"What the rules would do is say the seclusion rooms can only be used as a last resort, only in emergencies and not for discipline," said Daniel Zeno, with the ACLU. "The goal is to make sure we aren't using these rooms when they shouldn't be because it's a real negative impact on kids."

The proposed rules state that restraint should only be used for as long as necessary and require parents be notified immediately using the school's emergency contact system.

School Administrators of Iowa say it should be up to teachers and principals to decide if restraining a student is needed to de-escalate out-of-control behavior.

"There are times when it's my understanding that some educators believe that, for the safety of students who are put in their seclusion (rooms, it's) for their own safety and as well as safety of other students. That's why those rooms are used," said Matt Carver, with School Administrators of Iowa.